Rail Safety Awareness: Setting the Industry Standard

Part 19 of the #VictaAt30 Series looks back at how our rail safety training offer began—but more importantly, it highlights what we can do for the industry today.

Strengthening Rail Safety Through Training 

Safety has always been at the heart of Victa Railfreight’s operations—and in 2012, we took that commitment a step further. 

Recognising a growing need for practical, accessible rail safety training, especially for freight users with their own rail facilities for which no suitable courses were available, Victa developed its own Rail Safety Awareness (RSA) course.

Designed for anyone working in and around terminal, port, or rail‑connected sites, the course helps participants understand the rail environment, identify hazards, and work safely around slow‑moving trains, heavy plant and the myriad of other risks found at such locations.  

Since launch, more than 5,000 candidates have completed RSA, gaining both a Certificate of Competence and an RSA identification card.

But RSA was just the beginning.  As the sector’s needs continued to evolve, so did Victa’s training offer. 

A Growing Family of Rail Safety and Operations Courses 

Rail Site Operations Management 

A one‑day course aimed at supervisors, managers, and safety professionals working at rail‑connected freight sites. Using interactive teaching and real‑world incident case studies, it covers subjects such as contractor management, safe train movements, loading and discharge activities, unauthorised access, and effective communication.  

Designated Person (DP) Training 

Developed for train fitters, maintenance staff, and others working alone or in small groups on rail vehicles—whether in private sidings or on Network Rail‑controlled infrastructure. This half‑day course trains candidates to establish safe systems of work and meet industry standards for DP responsibilities. Successful participants receive a DP Identification Tag and Certificate of Competence.  

Effective Communication Skills 

A specialist half‑day course focused on preventing safety‑critical communication failures. Tailored for operational personnel who rely on two‑way radio or verbal communication in safety‑sensitive situations, the course covers communication methods, barriers, emergency call protocols, and the core features of effective information exchange. 

Rail Freight Familiarisation Training Developed in partnership with Network Rail 

Over recent years, Victa has been proud to collaborate with Network Rail on a new and highly impactful initiative: the Rail Freight Familiarisation Training programme. This programme was created to address a long‑standing skills gap across the industry. Many Mobile Operations Managers (MOMs) and Mobile Incident Officers (MIOs)—particularly those who began their careers in passenger operations—had limited exposure to the specific processes, considerations and operational demands of freight.  

Initiated by Kenneth Yarham, Network Rail’s Senior Route Freight Manager (Southern Region), the pilot programme launched in November 2023. Based on strong feedback, the course was refined to include more hands‑on content, and has since been adopted by multiple Network Rail routes.

A practical and immersive learning experience, delivered by the Victa training team, the course blends classroom learning with real‑world demonstrations and exercises. Topics include: - coupling and uncoupling freight vehicles - freight braking systems - brake continuity testing - key freight wagon components - arrangements for managing and controlling freight train movements. Each course is tailored to its location, ensuring relevance to the local operational environment. So far, 16 courses have been delivered across Didcot, Tonbridge, Eastleigh and Bristol—strategic freight hubs ideal for practical learning.

To-date, 87 Network Rail candidates have completed the training: - 80 Mobile Operations Managers - 7 staff in freight‑specific or developmental roles. The programme has been widely supported by Freight Operating Companies, who have supplied locomotives, wagons, drivers and shunters—demonstrating the industry’s shared commitment to safety, skills and collaboration. All participants receive a comprehensive course booklet and a certificate of attendance.

Building Skills Together for a Safer, Stronger Rail Freight Industry

Victa’s training offer has continued to evolve alongside the needs of the rail freight sector—from early Rail Safety Awareness courses to today’s specialist programmes developed with partners such as Network Rail. Our aim is simple: to help organisations strengthen safety, build confidence and develop practical skills across their teams.

Whether you’re looking to upskill operational staff, support new starters or introduce rail freight‑specific knowledge into your workforce, we’re here to help you achieve it.

From hands‑on training to national recognition, Victa is proud to lead the way in keeping people safe on and around the railway. Contact us to discuss training for your rail-connected business.